| High Conservation Value Old Growth forest | |
| Location: | 12 local government areas in the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, and New England regions of New South Wales, Australia |
| Beginning Label: | Design period |
| Designation1: | New South Wales State Heritage Register |
| Designation1 Offname: | High Conservation Value Old Growth forest; Old Growth Forest; HCVOG Forest; Upper North East NSW |
| Designation1 Type: | State heritage (landscape) |
| Designation1 Date: | 22 December 2000 |
| Designation1 Number: | 1487 |
| Designation1 Free1name: | Type |
| Designation1 Free1value: | Fauna habitat |
| Designation1 Free2name: | Category |
| Designation1 Free2value: | Landscape - Natural |
| Designation1 Free3name: | Builders |
The High Conservation Value Old Growth forest is a heritage-listed forest located across twelve local government areas in the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, and New England regions of New South Wales, Australia. The conservation area is also known as Old Growth Forest; HCVOG Forest; and Upper North East NSW. Broadly speaking, the conservation area forms part of the much larger Gondwana Rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site totalling more than . The conservation area is owned by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, both agencies of the Government of New South Wales. The conservation area was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000.[1]
The heritage area comprises all those parts, pieces or parcels of land containing HCVOG forest within national parks and nature reserves and state forests (excluding easements and leases) in the Upper North East Region as described below:[1]
but excluding those pieces and parcels of land subject to the easements and leases described below:[1]
The Upper North East Region is the area as described in section 1.4 of the Forest Agreement for the Upper North East Region, New South Wales Government, 5 March 1999.[1] The heritage-listed conservation area is fully contained within the Armidale Region, Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Severn, Kyogle, Lismore, Mid-Coast, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield, and Tweed local government areas.[1]
As at 22 September 2017, High Conservation Value Old Growth forest is ecologically mature eucalypt forest showing few signs of human disturbance. The upper canopy trees are no longer growing in height or spreading their crowns and show signs of old age. High Conservation Value Old Growth forest represents the best examples remaining of such forests.[1]
High Conservation Value Old Growth forest was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000 having satisfied the following criteria.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.
High Conservation Value Old Growth forest is important for its potential to demonstrate the history of their use and exploitation, as well as key sites demonstrating evidence of Aboriginal occupation over a long time period.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.
High Conservation Value Old Growth forest are by the nature of their tall trees areas of high aesthetic values which are valued and sought after by the community.[1]
The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.
High Conservation Value Old Growth forest is important for its potential to contribute to our understanding of the life cycle of eucalypt forests.[1]
The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.
High Conservation Value Old Growth forest is a forest type which is now rare or uncommon at a regional and statewide basis.[1]
They provide a valuable habitat for a wide range of native animal species including a number of rare and endangered species.[1]